Not sure if I'm trying to fit too much into a trip that was originally planned for Austria and Germany. Any thoughts on the below
Fly into Vienna
-2 nights in Vienna (day trip to Wachau Valley for bike ride)
-4 nights in Berchtesgaden (day trips to surrounding areas including Salzburg)
-1 night Munich? If we can catch a soccer game
-5 nights Dolomites Ortisei
-2 nights Venice and Fly Home
2 nights doesn’t seem enough for Vienna, especially if you are flying from the US and will be jet lagged.
Will you have a car? Berchtesgaden is an unusual base for the Salzburg area if relying on public transportation. Beautiful area and you’ll easily find lots to do.
I wouldn’t waste the time going to Munich only for 1 night, then heading right back down to Ortesei. Maybe add another night to Vienna instead.
5 nights is a lot for the Ortesei. I assume you are serious hikers? We were there in June and it was fabulous. Stayed in Santa Cristina. If you like steak, go to La Tambra. Fabulous pear & prosciutto pizza too. Take all the lifts up, you get completely different views from each: Seceda, Col Raiser, Seiser Alm, etc. Truly stunning scenery.
Two nights in Venice is good. Hopefully your flight from Venice doesn’t leave too early. Public transportation to the airport early in the morning can be a challenge.
We weren’t planning on getting a car but sounds like we make need one for the Berchtesgaden area. Munich is only on the list because my son is soccer obsessed and the opening weekend for the German league is during our trip. I figured we could do the 2+ hour train ride if we get tickets. Thinking as an alternative to the Dolomites is more time spent is Tyrol area in a resort area like Ischgl. We love hiking but I’m sure my 13 year old would prefer more adventure activities than just hikes.
We went to Berchtesgaden in June 2018, stayed for 4 nights and relied on buses.
We were able to do boat trip Konigsee and Obersee, St Bartholoma church, did a hike near Obersee along the cliff, visited the salt mine. Wimbachklamm gorge, a church in Ramsau and a hike that start in hintersee to Binalm. It was very beautiful 2 or 3 hours hike with stops. We took the bus back down to Hintersee.
So it's possible to do it without a car if you have enough time.
Salzburg would be a good base with a car. We spent 5 nights there with our teen boys. Went paragliding with FlyTandem. Awesome experience. The boys loved the Red Bull hanger also. We did Eagle’s Nest in the afternoon after paragliding over Salzburg. Also did Hallstatt, including the salt mine, as a separate day trip. There are also ice caves near Werfen (beautiful area). And the fortress in Werfen is very cool. We stayed at this apartment outside of Salzburg. It is fabulous if you have a car. It’s about 20minutes south ofSalzburg, 40 min Berchtesgaden, just over an hour to Hallstatt. https://www.booking.com/Share-LbnohI
Check out the sommerrodelbahns in the area.
I can’t recommend the Dolomites enough. Our teens called it “epic”, which you know is high praise! The combo of spectacular scenery and amazing food can’t be beat. We also spent 5 nights in Wengen, Switzerland on that trip, and we actually preferred the Dolomites. Something magical about that place. But we were only there 2 nights. 3 nights would have been perfect.
